January 31, 2011 (Otepaa, Estonia) – It was another day for the Harvey name to be in lights. Alex Harvey brought his “A” game today when he won gold in the 30km Pursuit (15km +15km) on the final day of the 2011 Junior/U23 World Championships. Harvey captured U23 gold in a brutally tight race, just 0.7 seconds ahead of Evgeniy Belov from Russia.

Third place went to Belov’s team mate Raul Shakirzianov at 35.7 seconds behind Harvey, who hails from from St.-Ferreol-Les-Neiges, QC, while the top American was Aspen, Colorado’s Noah Hoffman in 22nd.

This is a real indication of Harvey’s fitness and readiness for the 2011 FIS World Championships coming up in 21 days in Olso, Norway. Over his career Harvey has won a record-setting three Junior World Championship medals for Canada and now has brought home its first U23 gold medal.

Two years ago Harvey’s leg held him back at the 2008 Junior Worlds. Following those championships he had an operation on his leg and soon was back in the saddle.

“This is the first gold I have won at the championships. Previously I was ranked number one as well, but my leg was bad; I couldn’t sprint and I came fourth. It’s hard to accept that you are young and in good shape, but your body doesn’t follow,” said a smiling Harvey after his win.

Pre-race Interview

For the most part today’s competition was a “2-horse race” as Harvey and Russia’s Belov fought it out for pursuit gold in Otepaa while the battle for bronze raged behind.

Conditions were near perfect as 65 racers set out on the classic leg in -8 deg. C and sunny weather. The Norwegians set the pace early on as Belov – the gold medalist in the 15km skate – and Harvey marked each other staying in the top 10.

At 5km Harvey decided it was time to stretch out the field as he picked up the pace and a lead group of 10 formed with a small gap over the rest of the field.

It wasn’t too long before the two protagonists made a break on steep uphill climb at around the 10km mark fracturing the lead group with Belov pushing the pace this time. By the skate transition Belov and Harvey had a 33-second lead with the Russian doing most of the work.

Harvey took the lead position in the skate leg but Belov was right with him as the cat-and-mouse game began with neither pushing the pace as a group of six formed behind in the race for bronze. It was clear that the silver and gold medals were out of their reach at that point.

The pace and the gap to the chasers remained steady as Harvey and Belov skied easy knowing their lead was safe. The top podium spot was likely going to come down to a sprint which favoured Harvey and with the Canadian out front it was only a matter of time before Belov attacked on a steep uphill with about 1.5 km to go.

But Harvey was ready and marked the Russian who was frustrated with his inability to escape as the Canadian was tucked in close behind.

“It was two times I accelerated and had a gap with Alex, but on the downhill Alex caught me again,” said Belov post-race. “I also didn’t shave today for that maybe it brings some luck, but it didn’t help me.”

U23 30km Pursuit Race highlights

The pace quickened again heading into the stadium, with Belov in the lead, but on the final straightaway Harvey out-sprinted the Russian for the World U23 Championship title.

Belov was full of praise for Harvey’s efforts. “Of course I wanted to win, but my opponent Alex was very strong, especially his sprint was strong. This is something that I want to improve myself also. It was important to break away from the rest of the group and we made it. I didn’t have enough power to beat Alex.”

A trio of Canadians also finished the race including Calgary’s Kevin Sandau in 24th, Graeme Killick of Banff in 31st, while 40th place went to Thunder Bay’s Michael Somppi.

“The race didn’t go exactly the way I had hoped,” Sandau told SkiTrax by email. “But I guess that’s racing. I broke my classic pole in the chaos at the start and had to play catch up from around 60th. I ended today in 24th and would have like to be a bit higher, but my body felt just as strong as it did Thursday so I’m happy overall with my performance.”

The U.S. Ski Team’s Hoffman was happy for Harvey but struggled today remarking that the race was very tough. “The classic course had lots of shorter, steep hills and some tough double pole sections. The pace went out very fast. I struggled and did not stay with the lead pack. When we switched to the skate I continued to struggle, but I had some good skiers around me.

“The skate course was the same as we skied on Thursday for the 15km. It’s tough with rolling terrain and lots of transitions. Conditions today were solid, especially considering we were the 4th race of the day. It held up very well. I want to congratulate Alex. He is very strong and put together a great race.”

Besides Hoffman there were three other USA skiers that took part – 28th position went to UAF’s David Norris, while CXC’s Tadd Elliot finished in 33rd, and Alaska Winter Stars skier, Alex Treinen, placed 40th.

Harvey, is the son of legendary Canadian skier and 1988 Holmenkollen winner, Pierre Harvey. This was his first U23 World Championships title and Harvey was elated with the win as he looks ahead to Oslo.

“Today’s race was good training for the Oslo. I was a bit tired from the training earlier, but I had good skis. I used my sprint to finish. I plan to compete at the World Championships in Oslo. We want to reach podium there with our team, but it’s the matter of having a good day. I think it is possible,” added Harvey.

Full results HERE.

U23 Men 30 km Pursuit press conference